Volunteers provide boost to Anastasia State Park

Editor's Note: Today starts a new monthly column by Anastasia State Park ranger Mike Hensley. He will be a contributing columnist to The Record each fourth Sunday of the month.

Anastasia State Park has long been an oasis for both local residents and faraway visitors seeking to enjoy a bit of what the Florida Park Service likes to call "The Real Florida."

A place of stunning natural beauty, Anastasia's charms are hard to resist: Four miles of pristine Atlantic Ocean beachfront, a system of ancient dunes grown over by a maritime hammock, and a salt marsh and lagoon that serves as a haven for many species of birds and other animals. An endangered species (Anastasia Island Beach Mouse) even calls the park home. In all, the park covers some 1,700 acres, including submerged areas of Salt Run. But it isn't just the property itself that makes this place so special. Many individuals, families, schools and businesses care deeply for the park, and provide help in a number of ways. Protecting the park's natural resources fund raising assisting with environmental and cultural education all these are areas where Anastasia State Park benefits from a spirit of volunteerism and "can do" attitude.

In 2002, volunteers routinely helped keep the park clean by walking the beach and salt marsh, collecting trash and litter that floats in with the tide and the wind. Volunteers also helped keep the park's large campground in top-notch condition. Fund-raising events provided the opportunity for a variety of volunteers to work together.

The "Friends of Anastasia State Park" worked hand-in-hand with individual volunteers and two local schools (Pedro Menendez and St. Augustine high schools) during the two-day "Haunted Hayride," which helped raise money for the non-profit "Friends of Anastasia State Park." This money has already been put to good use by purchasing much-needed educational equipment that will allow the park to enhance and expand the variety of programs offered.

We're thankful that 2003 is already shaping up to be a great year for volunteer spirit and community involvement. A continuing goal for our park staff is to offer programs to get more people (especially kids) involved with outdoor-oriented activities. A series of fishing workshops geared towards children is planned for 2003, and this program would not be possible without the direct assistance of the Shakespeare Fishing Tackle Company, which generously provided the park with 10 new fishing rods and reels. These workshops will be conducted by our park staff along with individual volunteers who selflessly donate their time and energy. The park will have a continuing need for volunteers to help with other work projects, fund-raisers, and educational programs.

If you, your family or your business would like to become an integral part of making Anastasia State Park an even better place for our community to enjoy, please consider becoming a "Friend of Anastasia State Park." If you're interested in learning more about the organization, please contact Mike Hensley by email at michael.hensley@dep.state.fl.us or by phone at (904) 461-2035.